Three staff members of Mbagathi Hospital have been charged in court following allegations of a body swap scandal involving a Ksh.30,000 bribe. The suspects morgue attendants Elizabeth Aoga and Jackline Njagi, along with Jackline Owino from the Health Records Department were arraigned on Friday before Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi.
The prosecution presented charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, giving false information, and demanding money with menaces. According to the prosecution, on December 5, the three demanded Ksh.30,000 from Ann Mbugua, the daughter of the deceased James Mbugua, in exchange for helping waive an outstanding hospital bill of Ksh.61,000.
Instead of following proper procedures, the accused allegedly facilitated the release of a body under false pretenses after obtaining a burial permit fraudulently. However, investigations into the matter took an unexpected turn when another body labeled “James Mbugua” was later discovered in the hospital’s mortuary. This revelation raised serious concerns about the identity of the body that had been released earlier and further implicated the hospital staff in the alleged misconduct.
The case has sparked public outcry, with many questioning the integrity of the mortuary’s handling of deceased persons and the extent of corruption within hospital systems. Families of the deceased rely on hospital staff to manage the remains of their loved ones with professionalism and dignity. However, this case has cast a shadow over the hospital’s reputation, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability in hospital mortuaries.
During their appearance in court, the three suspects pleaded not guilty to all charges. The magistrate granted them cash bail of Ksh.100,000 each, with the case scheduled for mention on February 26. As the legal process unfolds, authorities have assured the public that investigations will continue to determine whether other individuals were involved in the scheme.
This incident highlights the growing concern over corruption in public health institutions, particularly in the handling of mortuary services. It also raises critical questions about the verification processes within hospital systems to prevent such fraudulent activities.
With the next court hearing set for later this month, Kenyans will be watching closely to see how the justice system handles the case and whether it will serve as a deterrent to similar fraudulent activities in the future. The government and hospital management are now under pressure to implement reforms to restore public trust in health facilities and ensure that families do not face similar distressing experiences in their moments of grief.
